I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. John 14:1-14

We live in a time when team and brand loyalty are more important than faith. On this Easter Monday, when folks in Massachusetts are celebrating Patriots' Day, folks from all over are here running the Boston Marathon, we can get distracted and easily lose focus. Along with the celebratory events, we have news that Pope Francis has passed away. Throughout his life and ministry, he not only advocated for the poor and the marginalized, he lived among them and cared for them. When the disciples ask Jesus to show them the way and where he was going, he simply reminded them to follow him. And following Jesus calls us to dwell with the prisoners and outcasts, feed the hungry, tend to the sick and stand with the marginalized. On this Easter Monday, when everything can distract us, let us accept Jesus' invitation to believe in him, and live like his followers today.

Wondrous Creator, you offered your child

so that we might draw close to you in him

so that the world might not be broken apart

but might be drawn together and mended well.

We find ourselves caught up in politics

horrified or enthusiastic about the rhetoric

we allow the ugly and the unkind to distract us

and get lost on our way to following Jesus.

Help us Lord, have faith in you once again

make our hands and hearts able to respond

to the needs that surround and overwhelm us

as we follow the way, the truth and the life, Jesus. Amen.